Draft rigging



V DK. s. BARROWS DRAFT -RIGGING Filed Jan. 30, 1925 @gyn listened Aug. 14, 192s.

UNITED .--sTaTEs PATENT oFlllcE.

DONALD S. IBARROWS, 0F ROCHESTER, NEW' YORK, ASSIGNOB T0 THE SYHINGTON COMPANY, or NEW Yoan, N. Y.,

A CORPORATION 0F MARYLAND.

Imam' BIGGING.

Application led January My invention relates to draft rigging for railway cars and more particularly to mechanism for operatively connecting the coupler to the yoke member and permitting a desired amount `of angling motion therebetween.

The principal Afeature of the invention, generally -stated, isvthe provision of means lfor connecting a coupler to a yoke so that a desired amount of horizontal angling is lpermitted together with a small amount of upright or substantially vertical rocking mo` tion therebetween. i i

An object of the invention is the provision of a connection between the coupler and yoke members in, railway draft rigglng in which the rear face ef the butt portion ofthe cou-A pler is crowned or curved so that it can rock or roll yvertically on the front of the follower block, an interposed member or a transverse bridge integral with the yoke.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an -improved connection between the coupler and the yoke member of railway draft rigging whereby substantially universal motion is permitted therebetween, said object'being accomplished by pivoting a butt portion or swivel block to the stem of the coupler yand crowning or curving the rear vface of said block so that it will roll or rock.

, at an angle tothe plane of motion permitted between the coupler stem and swivel block, on a'portion of the yoke.

A further.l ob'ect of the invention is the provision of an improved swivel connection'.

between a coupler and yoke for railway draft rigm'ng in which an intermediate swivel member is provided between the coupler stem and .a preferably integral bridge or diaphragm portion on the yoke. said ini termedate member being connected tothe coupler stem for pivotal motion in one plane and being formed for rocking motion with respect to the yoke in another plane at an angle thereto.

A still further object of the invention is the provision lof an improved and simplified form of universal connection between the coupler and yoke, in which 'the draft forces placed upon said yoke by the coupler-are first transmitted to a member `adapted to pivotalgly connect, for horizontal swinging movement, said coupler and an intermedate swivel block, and are then transmitted so, 1925. smal No. 5,769.

from said swivel block to the yoke through a connecting key, the swivel block member also being adapted to have an upright rocking engagement upon a portion of the yoke.

The invention further consists in the construction of the several elements and their zontalfsection illustrating a. coupler and a] yoke member constructed and connected in accordance-.with my invention.

VFigure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings 1n which similar reference characters designate correspending parts, I have shown the coupler 1l connected to a butt portion or swivel block 2 by means 4of a pivot in 3, which permits substantially horizonta angling movement therebetween. The swivel block or buttportion 2 is connected to the yoke 4 by the transversely extending key 5 which passes through a slot 6 of the swivel block and slots or apertures 7 and 8 in forwardly extending walls or webs 9 and 11 ofthe yoke 4. The coupler could, of course, be "described as being formed of a plurality of interleaved members having tion therebetween.

`As will be apparentl from an inspection of Figure 2, the pivot pin 3 is divided into two portions 12 and 13 by the transversely extending key 5, the upper portion 12 beingsupported on said key when assembled a pivotal connecand the lowerportion 13 being supported on a flange 14. of-iheswivel block, which flange is preferably integraL with said swivel block and. supports the bottom of the key section 13 substantially flushA with the lower faceof the mainportion of said block.

The coupler 1 or stem `portion thereof is provided with-rearwardly extendinganges 15 and 16:, .said ,flanges beng'perforated at .17 and 1 8- respectively for the' reception of the respectiveportions ofthe pivot pin and the rearward-edges of sai`d ilanges are curved co-axially with respect to said perforations` at 19 and 21, respectively.' The flanges 15 and 16 of the coupler closely fit in the ets 22 and 23 provided in thel swivel or butt portion 2. The bottom or rearward face of each pocket is curved co-axially with respect to the pivot apertures so that the flanges 15 and 16 on the coupler are adapted to fit into said pockets with the eo-axial portions of the pockets for transmitting buffing forces therebetween.

The swivel'block or butt portion 2 is provided witli upper and lower flanges 24 and 25, respectively, andan intermediate flange portion 2G which is intersected, as shown, by the key member 5. The rearward face 27 of the swivel block 2 is crowned or curved, as shown, so as to rock or roll in an upright or substantially vertical direction upon the transverse member 28. This member 28 may conveniently be formed as a transverse bridge of the yoke which, in the present embodiment, is shown as of the vertical type. The front face of the portion 28, which in the present embodiment is shown as integral with the yoke, is illustrated as being convcxly curved or crowned but, if desired, the same may be flat or concavely curved provided the radius of curvature is substantially greater than that of the cooperating face 27 on the swivel block or butt portion 2. It is obvious, however, that the shapes of the engaging faces at this point are interchangeable, it merely being necessary to allow rocking movement therebetween. The rear face of the bridge portion 28 is adapted for engagement with cushioning mechanism represented diagrammatieally by the dotted lines adjacent thereto.

The forwardly extending arms of the yoke member are shown at 29 and 31 and it' is to be understood that the rear or U-shaped portion of the yoke may be of any ordinary or desired construction. Forwardly of the integral bridge portion 28 the arms 29 and 31 are Iioined by flange or web portions 9 and 11 forming a yoke of the hooded type.

These flange portions 9 and `11 are those portions of the yoke through which the key 5 extends, as previously mentioned. For supporting the key the same extends through slots 34 in the draft sills 35, and through corresponding slots 36 in the cheek plates 37.

By means of the aforesaid construction a coupler and yoke connection has been provided in which a desired amount of horizontal angling is permitted between the coupler and its associated swivel block or butt portion, whereas undue angling or pivoting between the coupler and yoke is prevented by the forwardly extending portions 9 and 11 of the yoke.y Likewise, a desired amount of vertical rocking is permitted between the swivel portion 2 and the yoke 4 by the engagement of the crowned face 27 of the swivel block and the transverse web or diaphragm portion 28 on the yoke. This rocking motion is limited by the portions of the forwardly extending arms 29 and 31 in front of or beyond the transverse portion 28. It

will be noted that these portions. together with the flanges or webs 9 and l1, form a pocket or box-like structure into which the coupler and its associated swivel block or butt portion are inserted.

vWhen in assembled position, as shown in Figure 2, it will be seen that the pin, or the upper portion thereof, is pi'evented from being removed by the overlapping edge of the arm 29 of the yoke. 'lhe edge of thc lower arm 31 ot' the yoke likewise, serves as additionalmeans for preventing lossl of the lower portion of the pivot pin.

On the application of draft force to the Coupler such force is transmitted from the coupler stem, first. through thepivotpin or pins to the swivel block or butt portion 2, then to the key 5, and then to theI yoke 4. as will be understood. Upon the application of bufiing 'force to the coupler. however, the key 5 and pivot pin 3 are relieved by the direct engagement between the rear of the coupler stem and the cooperating pockets in the swivel block and the crowned rear face of said swivel block with thc transverse integral portion on the yoke.

Having now described my invention. what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a yoke having a. transverse web portion connecting the forward ends thcreo t, of a coupler stem, and a crowned portion on the rear end thereof adapted to engage the web portion of the yoke and rock up and clown thereon to a limited extent.

2. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a yoke having a transverse. web portion connecting forward ends` thereof. a coupler stem comprising a plurality of relatively rotatable members. cooperating bearing portions provided on said members adapted to transmit buing forces from one to the other. and a crowned portion on the rear end of the coupler stem adapted to engage the web portion of the lyoke and rock thereon.

3. In a4 railway draft rigging, the combi- 'nation with a yoke having a transverse member integrally` connecting the arms thereof, of a coupler adapted to engage said member and one of the engaging surfaces curved eonvexly so as to permit a limited up and down rocking movement therebetween.

4. In a railway draft rigging, the combination withr a yoke having a cushioning mechanism pocket and a coupler pocket, of a two-part coupler extending into the conpler pocket, one of said parts being pivotcd te swing horizontally'and both adapted to rock vertically.

5. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a yoke having pockets on oppo site sides of a transverse bridge portion, of

a coupler stem extending into one of said pockets, the rearward end of saidstem being crowned for upright rocking engagement with said bridge portion.

6. In a railway draft rigging, the com bination with a yoke, of an integial transverse bridge portion thereon, a cushioning mechanism pocket provided on one side of said bridge portion, n coupler pocket pro# vided on the other side thereof, and a crowned coupler stem extending intosaid pocket'and engaging the bridge portion for vertical rocking movement thereon.

7. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a yoke, of an integral transwrse bridge portion thereon, a cushioning mechanism pocket provided on one side of said bridge portion, a coupler pocket on the other side thereof, a crowned coupler stem extending into said pocket and engaging the bridge portion for up and down rocking movement thereon, and means uniting said yoke and coupler for transmittingl draft forces therebetween. n

8. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a yoke, of an integral transverse bridge portion thereon, a cushioning mechanism pocket provided on one side. of said bridge portion, a. coupler pocket on the other side thereof, a crowned coupler stem extending into said coupler pocket. and engaging the bridge portion for upright rocking movement thereon, said stem being articulated for angling movement between portions thereof.

9. Ina railway draft rigging, the combination with a yoke, of an integral trans-V yerse bridge portion thereon, a pocket provided oneach side of said bridge portion, the front side oiijsaid bridge portion being crowned, and a crowned coupler stem extending to 'and engaging said crowned bridge portion for upright rocking movement thereon.

10. In a railway draft rigging having cushioning mechanism, the combination with a yoke having forwardly extending arms, of a member between said arms engaged by the cushioning mechanism on one side thereof, and a crowned coupler stem engaging the other side of said member and adapted to rock vertically thereon.

11. In a railway ldraft` rigging havingl cushioning mechanism, the combination with a yoke having forwardly extending arms, of a member between said arms having one side engaged by the cushioning mechanism, and a crownedcoupler stem engaging the other side thereof and adapted for upright locking thereon, said stem being articulated for horizontal angling between portions thereof. 4 i.

12. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a yoke, of a, coupler stem, and a crowned butt portion swiveled to said stem gaging one side of said wall portion, a coupler butt portion engaging the other side A thereof and adapted to rock thereon inyfone plane, and a coupler'stem pivote'd to said butt portion for rocking in a plane at an` Iangle to the first plane.

15. Ina railway draft rigging, the combination with a yoke, of a coupler, a butt portion connected thereto by pivotal mean-s adapted yto transmit draft forces therebetween, and a key member extending at an angle to the pivotal means for transmitting draft forces between the butt portion and the yoke, said butt portion abutting a por` tion of the yoke for the transmission of bufling forces. l

16, In a railway draft rigging,the combination with a yoke, of a coupler, a butt portion, a pivot pin connecting said coupler to said butt portion, and a 'ange on the lower portion of said butt portion for supporting said pivot pin.

17. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a yoke, of a coupler, .a swivel block, a pivot pin connecting said coupler and swivel block, a key intersecting said coupler and swivel block, cutting the pivot pin into two sections and `'supporting the vtop section thereof.

18. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a yoke, of a coupler, a swivel block, a pivot pin. connecting said coupler -crowned for rocking engagement withthe adjacent member of associated draft rigging, provided with spaced complementary flanges. overlapping the flanges on the stem and similarly perforated, and provided with pockets coaxially curved with respect to the perforations and engaging the curved flanges of the stem portion for transmitting bufiing forces therebetween, and a pin extending .through the perforations for pivoting the stern and butt portions together and transmitting draft forces therebetween.

and swivel block, a key' cutting said p in into 20. A coupler comprising a stem portion provided with rearwardly extending flanges perforated and provided with edge portions curved eo-axiaily with respect to said perforations, a butt portion provided with alternately spaced complementary flanges overlapping the flanges on the stem portion, similarly perforated and provided with pockets co-axially curved with respect to the perforations and engaging the curved flanges of the stem portion for transmitting buing forces therebetween, and a pivot pin extending through the perforations for connecting .he butt and stem portions together and transmitting draft forces therebetween, said butt portion being slotted for the reception of a key for connectine the couplerand yoke andhcrowned for roclliing engagement therewit 21. A yoke provided with an integral transverse Vbridge portion for engagement with cushioning mechanism on one side and crowned for vertical rocking engagement with a coupler member on the other side, the arms of said yoke being extended beyondl said crowned side and adapted to limit said rocking.

22. A yoke provided with an integral bridge portion for engagement with cushioning mechanism on one side and curved for vertical rocking engagement with a coupler member on the other side, said yoke also being provided with forwardly extending slotted portions for the reception of a key and forminor a pocket to receive the butt of an associated coupler.

Q3. In railway draft rigging in combination with a yoke having forwardly extend ing arms, a member disposed between said arms and normally engaged by the cushion ing mechanism on one side thereof, a coupler stern with a curved butt portion engaging the other side of said member for angling with respect thereto, and'a horizontal key intersecting said stem and yoke for transmitting draft forces therebetween.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signeture.

DONALD S. BARROWS. 

